UAE Launches $1 Billion ‘AI for Development’ Initiative to Accelerate Growth in Africa
The program is designed to drive economic and social progress by strengthening digital infrastructure, improving government services, and boosting productivity across key sectors.
The United Arab Emirates has unveiled a landmark initiative, ‘AI for Development,’ with a commitment of US$1 billion to support artificial intelligence projects across African countries. The program is designed to drive economic and social progress by strengthening digital infrastructure, improving government services, and boosting productivity across key sectors.
Implementation of the initiative will be led by the Abu Dhabi Exports Office (ADEX), in partnership with the UAE Foreign Aid Agency and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development. It aims to integrate AI technologies into essential areas such as education, agriculture, and infrastructure, providing innovative solutions to developmental challenges while creating opportunities for sustainable growth.
The initiative also aligns with the UAE’s broader strategy of building a knowledge-based economy and positioning itself as a global hub for artificial intelligence. By combining technology, financing, and strategic partnerships, the program seeks to empower African countries to leverage AI to accelerate inclusive development and strengthen economic resilience.
Through this initiative, the UAE continues its longstanding support for African nations, which has included more than AED152 billion in aid since 1971. The program builds on the UAE’s tradition of humanitarian and developmental leadership, reflecting its commitment to improving living standards and fostering global cooperation.
By promoting AI-driven development projects, the initiative underscores the UAE’s role as a global center for innovation and smart technologies, aiming to deliver creative, high-impact solutions that advance modernization, inclusive growth, and sustainable development across the African continent.
